'This is an obvious problem': Likely protest zone for RNC unlikely to change despite GOP push

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Amid growing concerns from GOP lawmakers about a likely location for protesters during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, a top security official appears skeptical about changing their plans that could move demonstrators farther away from convention goers.

The City of Milwaukee has yet to finalize where protesters will be, but the anticipated location is Pere Marquette Park. It's one block east of Fiserv Forum and the Baird Center where convention attendees will primarily be during the week of July 15th.

Senator Ron Johnson is one of many Republicans trying to convince the Secret Service to expand their security zone to include Pere Marquette Park, which could keep protesters even farther from the action.

However, during a meeting Johnson had with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, he said Cheatle didn't seem interested in changing their security plans and was told they don't have the "authority" to do so.

"It's frustrating," Johnson said. "They make their assessment based on criteria that they've developed over the years with different events and have the authority to set a security plan, but now she claims she doesn't have the authority to change it."

During the meeting, Johnson said he stressed how "easy" it could be for "agitators to utilize that space to do something bad."

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and staff from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell office also raised similar security concerns with Cheatle in separate meetings Tuesday.

It comes after lawyers from the Republican National Committee wrote a lettero the Secret Services last month requesting the demonstration zone be moved out of Pere Marquette Park.

"There are some risks you can certainly dramatically reduce and that's what we're asking," Johnson said. "This is an obvious problem."

In a statement the Secret Service reiterated that they take their job to develop and executive security plans "extremely seriously."

"The security perimeter for the Republican National Convention is based on security considerations, including protective intelligence, risk and threat assessments, and is developed to ensure the highest level of security, while minimizing impacts to the public," said Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service in a statement.

Johnson suggested the agency might not want to expand the security perimeter out of fears they could face legal challenges from demonstrators.

More than 50,000 visitors are anticipated to descend on the city during the convention, not including the hundreds, possibly thousands of protesters.

The Coalition to March on the RNC, a group organizing protests, are demanding to be as close as possible to Fiserv and continue to express their concerns to the city. They're also exploring legal options if their demands are not met.

"What the Republicans are saying, what the Secret Service is saying is unimportant to us," said Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC. "Just because Republicans come to town doesn't mean our rights go out the window."

Regardless of where the designated demonstration area will be, Flores said they won't adhere to being blocks away from the convention.

Jeff Fleming, a spokesman for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, said their office continues to work on the specifics on what the demonstrations plans will be.

The city is listening to all the concerns that have been raised, and we expect to finalize the plans in the coming weeks," Fleming said.

Final security and demonstration zones are expected to be released to the public mid-June, officials said.